Genius’s Godlike Game Broadcast-Chapter 5 : The Newbie Streamer Is Too Good (1)

The Newbie Streamer Is Too Good (1)
Choi Byeonghun flopped down in his chair.
"Wow... how is someone world number one, and by such a huge margin, too?"
The shock still hadn't worn off.
"I was pretty surprised by that myself."
Lee Gyeongbok smiled.
Realizing the gap between him and South Korea's top ranker, his confidence had grown a bit.
But he never expected he'd turn out to be number one in the world.
"Streaming—you're still going to do it, right?"
"Of course."
"Yes! Yes! I like it!"
At Lee Gyeongbok's answer, Choi Byeonghun jumped up with both fists clenched.
Gyeongbok raised his hand as he watched his excited friend.
"But there's one thing I want to talk about."
"What is it? What? Hey, spill it. Hm? I'll listen to everything!"
"Quit talking nonsense, would you."
"Jeez, making things awkward for people..."
Choi Byeonghun looked embarrassed but soon perked his ears to listen.
"I think starting everything perfectly lined up isn't quite right."
Lee Gyeongbok spoke on with a rather serious expression.
"I mean, I don't think it's a good idea to start off by setting up a Q-tube channel and immediately uploading videos and all that."
He was just about to start broadcasting. If so, Choi Byeonghun would become his editor.
But even though they were friends, he couldn't expect him to work for free.
At the very least, it was proper to collaborate only after turning a profit.
"Jeez..."
Choi Byeonghun slapped his own forehead with a loud smack. His eyes were covered, but his mouth beneath was all smiles.
"That's exactly what I was about to say."
"Huh?"
"Looks like streaming is your true calling."
True calling – a profession bestowed by heaven.
Choi Byeonghun started joking around.
"I was actually going to stop you if you wanted to overprepare everything."
"Really?"
"Yeah. The industry these days is full of bloodshed. Not just a red ocean—a blood ocean."
As an editor, Choi Byeonghun was savvy about industry trends. He arranged his expression and spoke seriously.
"Do you have any idea how many people jump in thinking broadcasting is easy money? There're even people doing it as corporate business."
"True, even back in high school, it was sort of like that."
"Right. But from what I see, that's not the right way. Why? Why do people actually watch streams?"
"Just because it's fun, right?"
"Yeah, but if you look deeper, the needs are a bit different. No point overexplaining it, but bottom line: most people just want a chill, entertaining stream."
Choi Byeonghun straightened up, sitting with military-like posture.
"But imagine a streamer putting on airs, tense and serious. Showing off like, 'I'm betting my whole life on this broadcast!', would viewers actually enjoy that?"
"No."
"Right. It's overwhelming. When someone leaves the channel, you can sense this person's life is on the line. 'Geez, I came to relax and now I'm sharing the weight of someone else's life.'"
"Reminds me of that meme—'Is this a festival? No, it's a funeral.'"
At Gyeongbok's words, Choi Byeonghun chuckled.
"Yep, exactly that. Seriously, you seem to have a sense for broadcasting. Anyway, let's start easy, enjoy it as we go. If the streamer is having fun, so will the viewers."
"That works for me."
At Choi Byeonghun's response, Lee Gyeongbok grinned in satisfaction and stood up.
He'd wondered how to settle the discussion, but since they were both on the same page, there was no problem.
So what was left was the real deal.
"Have you thought about which game to start with?"
Choi Byeonghun idly spun his monitor. The main page of 'Tri', the largest streaming site, came up.
"Yeah, I looked around on my way over. I already bought one."
On his way from the capsule room to the officetel, he'd thought about what content to stream.
"Bio Crisis."
"Oh, that one's good."
Choi Byeonghun quickly snapped his fingers and typed the game's name into the search bar.
[Bio Crisis]
[Viewers: 7,773]
Having been famous on PC and console markets, it was a game set in a zombie apocalypse.
Limited ammo and recovery items, clever camera work and enemy placement—those factors ramped up the tension and horror, making it a genre-defining classic.
It had been so popular that a movie adaptation was made with the English title 'Dweller Evil.' That too had done well enough to get six sequels.
Recently, the game had been remade for virtual reality, making it a hot trend among streamers.
"It's lost some of its hype now, but for small-time streamers like us, it's just right."
The more popular a game was, the more streamers flocked to it. For someone just starting out, finding an audience among so many was like looking for gold dust in the sand.
It was better to go for a less crowded game, even if there were fewer viewers.
"And with your physical skills, this genre is perfect for you."
"Genre?"
"Yeah. Game streams are divided into spicy streams and mild streams, right?"
'Mild' streams showcase decent skills for viewers to enjoy at ease, whereas 'spicy' streams let viewers take pleasure in watching the streamer struggle and suffer due to lack of skill.
In the latter case, sometimes even the viewers suffer alongside.
"But you're past mild—it's like you're carbonated."
Choi Byeonghun quickly did the math. With Gyeongbok's physical prowess, it would be as refreshing as a soda.
"And you said you wanted to do this, so that's great."
If Gyeongbok hadn't decided, this would have been among his recommendations anyway.
"All set, so when shall we start?"
"First, gotta buy a capsule."
"Ah, right. Streaming from a capsule room isn't great."
"I'll look into the capsule. I know a dealer, so we can probably get one for a bit cheaper. Let's split the cost 50/50 for now."
"Huh? Why you?"
"Dude, this is all investment. I suggested it, so I should share the burden."
Choi Byeonghun had even considered covering the full cost. But since Lee Gyeongbok wasn't the kind to easily accept handouts, that would just put more pressure on him.
Covering half should be enough to show his commitment.
"Well... fine, do as you like."
Gyeongbok readily agreed.
* * *
A few days later.
With the capsule installed and set up, Lee Gyeongbok decided to try out the game immediately.
'Oh.'
As he launched the game, Gyeongbok marveled inwardly.
The developer's logo played like a movie theater screening, then a cutscene began right away.
'A hospital, huh.'
Since it was only the opening, he couldn't feel his body. It felt more like a dream.
"What happened here?"
"I don't know! There are too many emergency patients!"
"Hurry!"
The hospital was in chaos.
People in white coats were rushing around everywhere. Oddly, there were a lot of police officers present too.
"The radio's dead...!"
"What do we do?"
"Oh, god..."
Soon, the point of view followed a nurse. With a rattling noise, the hospital bed she was pushing entered a room.
"Huh, this patient's name is..."
The nurse anxiously grabbed a chart and pen. Then, the world suddenly stopped.
Letters appeared faintly on the chart.
'Ah, is this where you set the character name?'
It looked like the player could type a name in. Lee Gyeongbok briefly considered, but decided to stick with the default.
[Name: John]
With that, his vision faded to black. The opening cutscene was over.
'So, it's starting.'
Gyeongbok felt his body.
He blinked a few times and got up.
–Oh, bark, a newbie?
Right then, a chat message popped up in the viewer corner of his vision, semi-transparent.
"Ah, hello."
Gyeongbok lightly stretched and greeted.
–Lol, it really is your first stream.
"Huh? How did you know?"
He was genuinely surprised. He'd only just started the game—was it that obvious?
–Haha, smells fresh!
–He doesn't even know how to set public history, what a greenhorn!
Public history.
On the streaming platform 'Tri', viewers could easily check a streamer's game history.
'... Better keep chatting as I play.'
If he just kept idle chat, there was no point running the game. Gyeongbok adjusted his posture, staying alert.
"It's strangely quiet. It was complete chaos in the opening."
Unlike the urgent situation before, there was now no noise at all.
–Refraining from chat to avoid spoilers.
–I smell newbie.
–Newhi!
A new viewer entered. For low-rank or 'unknown' streamers, a jump from 0 to 1 viewer was significant.
People hesitate to enter a stream with zero viewers, but if there's even one, it's easier to pop in or out.
"Yes, hello."
Gyeongbok greeted softly, as if someone might actually hear.
–Lol, you scared already?
–Bark can be scary at first.
–This guy is a legit newcomer.
–Wow, for real?
–Then this might be tough.
–Actually, that's better!
With someone to talk to, chat became even more lively. Gyeongbok found the situation less burdensome.
Right then.
'... Again.'
His intuition sparked up.
He sensed something ominous outside the hospital room.
Reflexively, Gyeongbok grabbed the IV pole next to the bed.
–Oh lol
–Thought he'd just do mouthpiece but nope?
–Yeah, in a zombie game, grabbing a weapon is common sense
Just as Gyeongbok was about to reply to chat—
"Kuahhhh!"
A scream from outside.
Gyeongbok pressed up against the door.
'The immersion's insane.'
The scream was so realistic it was hard to believe it was just a game.
–Oh, here we go.
–No spoilers!
–Don't spoil or get banned.
–But who'll ban people when there's no manager?
–So who's going to ban, then?
Gyeongbok swallowed nervously and opened the door slightly. A thick smell of blood hit his nose.
Sticky, dried blood was everywhere in the hallway, the lights flickering on and off.
"Huu, huu...!"
Sensitive hearing picked up ragged breaths. At the end of the corridor, in the flickering light, a shadow rushed toward him.
And more shadows followed.
"Looks like someone's being chased."
A zombie outbreak was obvious. Without waiting for chat, Gyeongbok opened the door.
–Give that man some courage.
–Now that's a man.
–Refreshing, I like it.
As Gyeongbok stepped out, the shadow's owner appeared. A burly Black police officer turned around the corner, his face grimacing.
The moment their eyes met,
"Run!"
A sound like an animal's growl followed his shout.
Then, white coats—no, coats now dyed red—zombie corpses chased after him.
–Get away!
–Zombie entrance!
–Ahhhh, ded
Chat messages flew up.
"Hurry!"
But unlike the viewers' words, the police officer was still alive. He shot the zombies with his pistol to buy time.
"A gun."
Gyeongbok's eyes lit up.
Judging from the viewer reactions, most people just ran away here, but he didn't want to.
"If I take that, I should have it easier."
He dashed down the hallway.
–???
–LMAO
–This is why I can't stop watching newb streams.
–He's going to die for sure, lol
The viewership had risen to 4. All of them were expecting Gyeongbok's death.
–If you don't know, you deserve to die, haha
–Zombie: rocket delivery sure is fast^^
–Good meat, nice service!
Despite the mocking chat, Gyeongbok grinned.
'Already—'
In the unlit cross-shaped corridor, zombies suddenly leaped from both sides.
Surely, someone must have tried the same before. The devs had anticipated this.
So they'd placed "ambush zombies" in the dark corridors.
'I know it already.'
But Gyeongbok already knew about them. And being prepared made responding easier.
"Hup!"
He briefly held his breath and swung the IV pole, its tip hooking around a zombie's neck.
Gyeongbok yanked it in and twisted to bash another zombie's head with the pole.
–Huh?
–??
–What?
The fluid movement was more like a martial arts film than a game. Both zombies crumpled to the floor.
One's head was caved in; the other still moved, but Gyeongbok stomped it flat.
Thick blood oozed down the IV pole.
He grinned.
"This game's fun."
And he meant it.
His body moved exactly as he pictured.
–A newbie got through that?
–I died like 10 times here?
–Who are you! You're not a newbie, right?
Chat reactions were intense.
And so were the reactions of others.
"Grrrr!"
"Raaaar!"
The zombies being shot by the cop.
Gyeongbok caught his breath and moved again.
'Five left.'
Apparently, the cop was a decent shot. The leading zombies had fallen, holding up others and buying Gyeongbok time.
"You—!"
The officer was startled to see him.
–Why's the cop still alive?
–No way...!
–That's different dialogue, isn't it?
–Is there another route here?
–Isn't this a first revelation?
–Clip it, somebody clip this...!
The viewership had grown to 6. Even through text, he felt their heat and excitement.
Gyeongbok smiled.
He could sense things were going well, as if a favorable wind had caught his sails.
"Wait! It's dangerous—!"
Before the cop could finish, Gyeongbok's pupils flicked, glancing from the chat window to a grotesque zombie.
'Of course.'
Heightened senses were now mixed with an unfamiliar intuition. He instantly filtered through the flood of information.
Those refined instincts translated into optimal survival tactics.
"One."
Gyeongbok swung the IV pole full force. The leg of the closest zombie snapped, sending it tumbling.
The next one tripped over the obstacle.
"Two."
Without resisting the force, Gyeongbok spun and bashed the lowered head with the pole.
With a soft thud, the smashed zombie collapsed, pinning the first.
"Three."
The IV pole's durability wasn't great. The bent tip wasn't much of a weapon anymore.
But that didn't matter to Gyeongbok.
He hooked another zombie's ankle with the curved pole and threw it down.
"Damn!"
Meanwhile, the cop wasn't just standing there. He cursed and pulled the trigger.
With Gyeongbok in front, he couldn't aim easily, but he could shoot the ones who fell.
'Just as planned.'
Things were going exactly as Gyeongbok calculated.
"Watch out!"
The cop shouted.
While the 'allies' were being slain, the last zombies closed in. The length of the IV pole was now a liability.
But even that was no issue.
"Four."
He held the pole horizontally, jamming a zombie into the wall by its mouth.
Rotten flesh couldn't handle the pressure; its jaw broke, and the body slid down the wall.
"No—!"
But there was one left.
The last zombie tackled Gyeongbok from behind. The cop frantically pulled the trigger—
Click.
A despairing sound of empty chambers. He squeezed his eyes shut.
But—
"Five."
What he heard was not a scream, but a calm voice. In front of the trembling zombie, Gyeongbok's blood-spattered face loomed.
And he held a bloody pen.
–What did I just see?
–Legendary...
–So that's why the default name is John lol
–Are you, by chance, John from the Wick family?
–Is this physical ability or magical?
It was the pen he'd noticed in the pocket of a zombie's coat earlier. Gyeongbok turned and shoved it through the eye and into the brain.
"Maybe it's just because it's a tutorial, but that was easy."
At his words the chat window filled with '?'s. Only 6 viewers, but with no spam limiter, one corner of his vision was packed.
–Followed. I'm following.
–Why's this a newbie?
–What are you, really?
He wanted to answer, but couldn't.
Suddenly his body stiffened and moved on its own.
Time for another cutscene.
"Are you all right?"
A pleasantly low voice.
Amazingly, John's voice was the same as Gyeongbok's. Thanks to advances in voice synthesis technology.
"Tha-thank you, you saved me. But how...? No, that's not important right now."
The cop clenched his teeth and handed over his pistol and a magazine.
"There's a storage room for officers in the basement. There might still be supplies there. Take this key card."
He handed over a plastic card.
The chat now went wild.
–Hidden! It's a hidden route!
–A wild hidden route appears!
–Why's this a newbie? Why's this a newbie? Why's this a newbie?
–Open donations. Enable donations!
–This streamer's got actual police backup!
Gyeongbok was bewildered by the sudden frenzy in chat.
'W-what the...?'
The ones looking for newbies are never newbies themselves.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
It's a good first stream...
Apparently, we're getting a variety stream.
I thought it would be an VRMMORPG...
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】